In a heartwarming act of community service, Gurdwara Jamuni Sahib stepped up to provide langar to over 1,000 passengers stranded at Kasu Begu railway station in Punjab’s Ferozepur district. This followed a bomb threat that halted the Jammu Tawi-Bhagat Ki Kothi Express (train number 19926), en route from Jammu to Rajasthan’s Jodhpur. The threat, later confirmed to be a hoax, caused significant disruption and fear among passengers. Gurdwara Jamuni Sahib in Ferozepur serves langar during bomb scare touched passengers’ emotionally.
The bomb scare, which led to the evacuation of the train early in the morning, triggered an extensive security response. Police forces, including the Punjab Police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police, fire brigade, and ambulances, converged on the scene to ensure passenger safety. The train was stopped at 7:42 am on tuesday, and a thorough search operation, lasting over five hours, was conducted with bomb disposal squads from Bathinda, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar.
Amidst the chaos, the management of Gurdwara Jamuni Sahib, in collaboration with railway commercial inspectors, organized immediate relief for the passengers. They provided water, tea, biscuits, and milk for children, and soon arranged a langar, offering hot meals to everyone affected.
Sanjay Sahu, Divisional Railway Manager of Ferozepur, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are deeply thankful to the management of Gurdwara Jamuni Sahib for their timely assistance in arranging food and beverages for the stranded passengers. Their efforts ensured that no one went hungry during this stressful time.”
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Paramdeep Singh Saini personally oversaw the relief efforts at the station. He highlighted the critical role of community support in managing such crises and ensuring passenger comfort and safety.
The hoax caller, a 28-year-old man from South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, was swiftly traced and arrested with the help of technical inputs provided to the West Bengal Police. He is set to be brought to Ferozepur for further investigation, as confirmed by Saumya Mishra, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur.
The bomb threat not only caused distress but also led to the disruption of several train services. Four trains were affected: one intercity train from Bathinda Cantonment to Ferozepur was short-originated from Golewala station, and another from Ferozepur Cantonment to Bathinda Cantonment was short-terminated at Golewala station. Additionally, a train from Gandhi Nagar to Jammu Tawi and another from Seoni to Ferozepur Cantonment were diverted via alternative routes.
To aid affected passengers, a help desk was established at the Ferozepur Cantt railway station, providing updates and assistance regarding train schedules and other queries.
In the face of fear and uncertainty, the compassionate response from Gurdwara Jamuni Sahib exemplified the strength of community solidarity, turning a stressful situation into a moment of shared humanity and support.